The Rainbow Families Conference is the premier community building and learning event for current and prospective LGBT parents, their children, family members and friends, area educators and community members.

This incredible conference is a special resource for Minnesota and surrounding states and is the largest of its kind in the nation. Participants enjoy a day of learning and sharing together and also leave with concrete skills and information relevant to their own lives and needs.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

U.S. fast food chain Chick-fil-A has been receiving LGBT media attention over its ties to anti-gay groups and sentiments. Through its foundation the company has been sponsoring anti-marriage events and organizations throughout the country.

Chick-fil-A's charitable arm, the WinShape Foundation, has been particularly active in the fight against marriage equality. They've hosted conferences with some of the leading opponents of gay marriage in this country. A higher up at WinShape has even praised the efforts of anti-gay activist David Blankenhorn for working against marriage equality, and for articulating a solid reason why American culture should reject same-sex couples (Change.org)

But there's more...

WinShape Foundations Retreat Center does not cater to LGBT people!

"WinShape Retreat defines marriage from the Biblical standard as being between one man and one woman. Groups/Individuals are welcome who offer wholesome, educational conferences and programs that are compatible with Biblical values and WinShape's purpose."

"We do not accept homosexual couples because of the statement in our contract." (Good as You)

Monday, January 17, 2011

Roger Helmer a conservative member of the British Parliament has made a controversial tweet defending so called "reparative therapy" for gay, lesbian and bisexual people. He ignorantly compares sex-change operations to sexual orientation an offense that should be taken by the entire LGBT community being that sexual orientation and gender identity are not the same thing.

"Why is it OK for a surgeon to perform a sex-change operation, but not OK for a psychiatrist to try to "turn" a consenting homosexual?"

His remarks not only show that he believes sexual orientation can be altered but it also goes to show that he considers a sex-change operation to be a choice. While electing for surgery is a choice in the respect that one is not forced to undergo the procedure, it is often a life-saving procedure for transgender people who would otherwise not want to live in a physical body that does not correspond with their gender identity.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Rapper Jayne Dooe has released a new song called "Hell Yeah" which is unapologetic and proud of queer orientation. The song is both a celebration of women of color who are same-gender loving and all LGBT people as well as a call for peace, justice and equality!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Ms. Claire Buffie a contestant for Miss America is the first ever pageant queen to campaign on an LGBT rights platform. Having won the nomination for Miss New York the beauty queen/photographer and activist now vies for the top crown.

Ms. Buffie has been active in educating students about respect and acceptance for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. A straight ally herself, Buffie has a lesbian sister whom she wants to see have equal rights in her lifetime.

Pauley Perrette an actress on the hit drama Naval Criminal Investigative Service has continued in her outspoken opposition to proposition 8. The actress showed up at the People's Choice Awards in the politically motivated "NoH8" gown.

Perrette has been an outspoken critic of the ban on same-sex marriage and has urged Californians to oppose the measure. She refuses to wed her partner until LGBT people are given equality in marital rights.

New Mexico will now recognize same-sex couples married in other states and countries where marriage equality is law even though the state governor is opposed.

The Attorney General Gary King said that:

"A comprehensive legal analysis by my office concludes that valid same-sex marriages in other states would likely be valid in New Mexico"

Nobody can tell how the New Mexico courts or legislature will respond but it appears that should there not be interference this will be an option for LGBTQ couples in New Mexico.

The Governor Susana Martinez is on the record opposing same-sex marriage:

A spokesperson for New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez issued a statement saying, "Gov. Martinez made it clear during the campaign that she opposes same-sex marriage. It's important to note that no New Mexico court has ruled on this issue." (Advocate)

Please urge Governor Martinez to honor the Attorney Generals finding even though she is personally against marriage equality.